California Lawmakers Aim to Regulate AI Technologies to Build Trust and Prevent Discrimination

California Lawmakers Push for AI Regulations to Build Public Trust and Fight Discrimination

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers are taking a proactive approach to regulating artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to address concerns about algorithmic discrimination, deepfakes, job loss, misinformation, invasions of privacy, and automation bias. As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, the efforts in California could set a precedent for national AI regulations.

With California being home to many of the world’s largest AI companies, lawmakers are working to establish trust and combat discrimination in the use of AI. Proposals have been introduced to require transparency in AI decision-making processes, prevent bias and discrimination in AI models, and hold companies accountable for the impact of their AI tools.

One of the most ambitious measures would establish oversight frameworks to address bias and discrimination in AI models, requiring companies to inform individuals when AI is being used in decisions that affect them. The state attorney general would have the authority to investigate discriminatory models and impose fines for violations.

Additionally, California lawmakers are seeking to protect jobs and likeness by introducing regulations that would prevent studios from using AI to digitally clone performers without their consent. Penalties may be imposed for digitally cloning deceased individuals without the consent of their estate, as seen in the case of an AI-generated comedy special featuring the late George Carlin.

The state is also considering regulations for powerful generative AI systems that have the potential to create harmful content. Lawmakers are proposing guardrails and a “kill switch” for AI models that could lead to significant damages. The creation of a new state agency to oversee developers and provide best practices is also under consideration.

Furthermore, California lawmakers are aiming to ban deepfakes involving politics or pornography, particularly in the context of elections. Bipartisan efforts are underway to prosecute individuals who use AI tools to create deceptive images, including child sexual abuse materials. Proposals would also address election-related deepfakes to prevent misinformation and manipulation in political campaigns.

As California moves forward with these AI regulations, lawmakers are balancing the need for oversight and accountability with the desire to attract AI companies to the state. By setting a standard for AI regulations, California hopes to lead the way in ensuring the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies.